Glossary · Technology

UV printing

Reverse glass printing

The design is printed mirrored on the back of a glass or acrylic sheet. From the front, you then see it through the smooth pane, protected from scratches.

Explained in more detail

The layer order is the reverse of normal UV printing: colours first, then white ink as an opaque backing layer so that the colours look strong from the front. The design must be mirrored in the software. Typical substrates are acrylic glass and glass, usually with primer on glass. Advantages are a glossy depth effect and a scratch-protected print side. If the white is left out in places, translucent areas result, for example for illuminated signs.

Where does the term come from?

The term is modelled on reverse glass painting, an old folk art technique in which the back of a pane of glass is painted. There too the work is done in reverse order: details first, background last. In English this is called "reverse printing" or "second surface printing".

In practice

• Mirror the file horizontally, otherwise text and design appear reversed when viewed from the front.
• Make the white slightly smaller than the colour; eufyMake, for example, sets 0.2 mm, so that no white edge shows at the front.
• With acrylic, peel off the protective film on the print side just before printing and discharge the sheet to remove dust and static charge.
• Always use glass primer on glass; on acrylic, first test with adhesive tape without primer to see whether the ink holds.
• For stands visible from both sides, choose the layer order colour, white, colour. One of the two colour layers must then be mirrored.

Not to be confused

If you swap the order and print white first, you see only a white area from the front. Reverse glass printing always means: colour first, then white.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to mirror for reverse glass printing?

Yes. You print on the back and view from the front, so the design must be mirrored horizontally. Many print programs have a dedicated switch for this.

Is reverse glass printing scratch-resistant?

From the front yes, because the printed side lies behind the pane and only the smooth material is touched. The back remains sensitive and should not lie on rough surfaces or rub.